BioSpheres - Should I add some?

[Avengerx77]

Ok, so I am still on the final stages of my cycle process. I think that I have a good amount of rock to start for bacteria to settle in, especially since I don't expect to add too many fishes to my 60 gal DT in the future (pair of clowns, a lawnmower blenny, a yellow Coris, a royal gramma and maybe a mandarin). However, there are 1 or 2 large pieces of rock that I don't really like as part of the aquascape. I am planning to introduce a Marco rock structure in a few weeks to compensate/replace for those two larger but not too porous rocks. The idea is to introduce the new structure while keeping all the more established rocks, so I give time for the bacteria to populate the new structure, so when I remove them I don't stress the system.

Now, in the meantime I was thinking to add BioSpheres as well to increase the surface area for them, further compensating for the removal of the two rocks and also because it would be easier to move the spheres to a QT as needed, instead of a live rock that at some point might have corals in it. Just wondering if there is such thing as too much area that bacteria will not be present in some spheres/rocks having the first months fewer fishes/nutrients to feed on.

What are your thoughts? The two rocks are the ones acting as a bridge on the left side and the one at the center. I might just end up just taking one out (the one on the left)

 

[blaxsun]

I couldn't tell in the image, but do you have a sump? If so, I'd just add the spheres to the sump.

 

[Avengerx77]

I couldn't tell in the image, but do you have a sump? If so, I'd just add the spheres to the sump.

Yes, I do have a sump, where there is actually a section that would be perfect to hold the biospheres (fourth chamber from left to right), which was the one I am planning to use for adding any media filter if needed.

 

[Avengerx77]

Do you know how much of BioSpheres would be advisable to put in the sump? The product box looks small, so not sure how many boxes would I need for a 60gal set-up?

 

[blaxsun]

What are you using for filtration in the 4th chamber? (with the overflow returns) I can see a sort of white box. Filter socks? It looks like your main return is split in the far right chamber and the emergency overflow in the far left. Is that correct?

 

[blaxsun]

1 box should be plenty (worst case you can add a second). I placed 2 boxes in my 40-gallon sump along with two 4x4x8 bioblocks.

 

[Avengerx77]

Not using any filtration yet as I am still cycling, but yes there is chamber/box on top to use it to run some filter floss if wanted (see pic). The emergency overflow is in the far left in the same chamber along with my return pump and in the far right chamber is where the water falls from the DT.

 

[Avengerx77]

1 box should be plenty (worst case you can add a second). I placed 2 boxes in my 40-gallon sump along with two 4x4x8 bioblocks.

The two quart box or the 1 gallon box?

 

[blaxsun]

I can't tell where the opening or baffle in the far right chamber is to the adjacent chamber to the left? Where do you place the filter floss? Just trying to get an idea if it would be feasible to put the biospheres in the overflow chamber or if you'll have to place them in the second chamber. Is this a custom sump or one you ordered? (if you have a link that would help)

 

[Avengerx77]

It is a custom sump. So, let me try to break it down from left to right:

Chamber 1: Is where the emergency overflow is located and where I have the return pump
Chamber 2: Currently holds the heater and where the refugium will be located containing chaeto
Chamber 3: Is where the skimmer is placed
Chamber 4: is the one with the box on top to put filter floss and currently nothing else, so was thinking to put the biospheres here
Chamber 5: Its only purpose is to receive the water falling from the DT and is the narrowest chamber of all of them, it just fits the plumbing and this way avoids any bubbles.

 

[blaxsun]

I'd put them under where the filter floss goes in chamber 4.

 

[Avengerx77]

And should I go for the two quart box or the 1 gallon box of Biospheres?

 

[snorklr]

just stick the piece of rock you dont like in the refugium section

 

[Avengerx77]

just stick the piece of rock you dont like in the refugium section

Yes, that was the first thought, but the pieces I want to get rid of are very large and the sump chambers are a bit on the narrow side, so most likely they will not fit or will make scratches all over the place. That is why I was evaluating the bio-sphere, I considered the bioblocks but seems they tend to disintegrate after a while.

 

[jgirardnrg]

Yes, that was the first thought, but the pieces I want to get rid of are very large and the sump chambers are a bit on the narrow side, so most likely they will not fit or will make scratches all over the place. That is why I was evaluating the bio-sphere, I considered the bioblocks but seems they tend to disintegrate after a while.

You have a hammer? Break the big rock into smaller pieces and throw it in the sump chamber.

 

[Avengerx77]

You have a hammer? Break the big rock into smaller pieces and throw it in the sump chamber.

Do you know if I would kill the bacteria in the process? Not expecting to have the rock exposed to air for a long time, but not sure if there is a time limit component for their survival

 

[jgirardnrg]

Do you know if I would kill the bacteria in the process? Not expecting to have the rock exposed to air for a long time, but not sure if there is a time limit component for their survival

Nah... as long as it stays wet you should be fine. Should only take a couple minutes to break it and toss it in the sump.